Locking device for connecting tubular or other parts.



PATENTED Nov; 24', 1903.

, F. E. STUART. LOOKING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING TUBULAR OR OTHER PARTS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

Hcuacsli. Stuart Uivrrnu STATES Patented November 24, 1903.

ATENT tries.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING TUBULAR OR OTHER PARTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,985, dated November24, 1903.

Application filed arch 19, 1903. Serial No. 148,592. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS ELLIOTT STUART, a citizen of the UnitedKingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and a resident of VictoriaEngineering Works, South Ealing, London, England, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Locking Devices for Connecting Tubular orother Parts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved device for locking or connectingtubular or other parts together; and its object is to provide a simple,effective, and secure means whereby the rapid connection,lockingtogether, and unlocking of such parts may be effected.

The invention is particularly adapted for use upon hinged or foldinghorse.-collars,such as are employed in fire departments, and which areconstructed in two parts hinged together at the top to enable them to berapidly clasped, fastened, or snapped together in position on the horsesneck.

In carrying the invention into effectI provide the parts at the pointsof juncture, respectively, with a suitably-shaped nose-piece carryingtwo spring-actuated pawls, when in their normal position projecting andengaging an annulus or ring, the inner face of which is shaped to form asuitable bearingsurface for the ends of the aforesaid pawls when theparts are properly positioned. The

construction and arrangement of the pawls are such that any movementimparted to one will be transmitted to the other, and this is effectedby pivoting the pawls in aslot formed in the aforesaid nose-piece with aball orothersuitable device engaging recesses formed upon theinnersurfaces and at or near the pivoted ends of the said pawls.

In order that the invention may be the better understood, referenceismade to the appended drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinalsection of the parts when connected together. Fig. 2 is a transversesection upon line A A of Fig. 1 lookingin the direction of the arrow a.Fig. 3 is a section on line B B, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of thearrow b. Fig. 4 is an end view, partly in section. Fig. 5 is a side viewof the nose-piece. Fig. 6 is a section movement of the said pawls.

showing the annulus, against the back of which the spring-pawls withinthe said nosepiece engage.

Referring to the drawings, 1 2 denote the respective ends of the hamesof a horse-collar, and 3 anose-piecein projection, forming part of orsecured to the part 1. The said nose-piece or projection 3 is shaped asshown by the drawings.

4:18 a longitudinal slot in the nose-piece, within which are located twopawls 5, pivotally supported at one end by means of pins 6. The outer orfree ends of the pawls are preferablycurved, as shown at 7, Figs. 1 and5, and have each formed in'them upon their inner faces a recess 8, withwhich engage the ends of the spiral spring 9.

10 is a sphere situated as shown, engaging with recesses also formedupon the inner faces of the aforesaid pawls and at the opposite ends tothose retainingthe spring 9. By this means any movement of either one ofthe two pawls will be communicated to the other. The pivoted ends of thepawls are rounded, as shown in Fig. 1, toward the inside and are alsoprovided with a shoulder 11, designed when the pawls are in an extendedposition to abut against the outer edge of the slot at and to limit theoutward It will. be seen from the drawings that normally the ends of thepawls project at their free ends beyond the outer surfaces ofthenose-piece.

12 is an annulus or ring secured to or formed integrally with the part2, and the bore of which is of such dimension as to readily permit ofthe passage of the nosepiece 1 pressing the pawls 5 during suchpassageinward against the action of the spring 9.

13 in Figs. 2, t, and 6 is a curved surface formed upon the inner edgeof the ring 12, the contour of which agrees with the outer ends of thepawls, and against which surface the ends 7 of the pawls 5 abut when theparts are connected together, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be noticedthat the outer face of the ring 12 is funnel-shaped, being so formed tofacilitate the introduction of the nose-piece and the compression of thepawls against spring 9. The base of the nose-piece 14 is similarlycurved, so that when the parts are in position a close joint is formedbetween them.

In order to permit of the two parts of the device being readilydisconnected, a hole is formed in the part 2 at to permit of theinsertion of a plug, pin, or key, the end of which on being inserted inthis hole and pressed against one of the pawls causes both these to cometogetheruntil the limit of their inward movement is reached, when thenose-piece 3 may be Withdrawn from the ring-piece 12.

It Will be evident from the foregoing that it is possible to rapidly andsecurely connect the parts 1 and 2 together, as it is only necessary toinsert the end of the nose 3 within the aperture in ring 12, when asharp push will effect the connection and locking of the parts together,while to disconnect them it is only necessary to employ a plug, pin, orkey in the manner before described.

It is obvious that I may substitute for the sphere 10 a roller, or inplace of a sphere or roller I may form a projection or projections uponone pawl adapted to engage in suitable recess or recesses upon theother.

Having now described my said invention,

what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device for locking two parts together, the combination with anose or projection carried by one of the parts, a pair ofspring-actuated pawls each provided with a depression pivotally mountedinthe projection, a sphere mounted in depressions in the pawls toconnect the pawls together and cause them to move in unison, and meanscarried by the other part with which the pawls are adapted to engage toconnect the two parts together.

2. In a device for connecting two parts together, the combination with apair of pawls each provided with a depression carried by one of theparts, of a sphere mounted in depressions in the pawls to connect thepawls and cause them to move in unison, and means carried by the otherpart with which the pawls are adapted to cooperateto lock the parts.

Signed by me at London, England, this th day of January, 1903.

FRANCIS ELLIOTT STUART. Witnesses:

ALFRED FORDHAM, I. H. S. GWATKIN.

